Relative Something

Just for the record, I truly did fear that I might not be able to rejoin my friends in the thrice-weekly morning futsal matches on the wood-floor basketball court at a local health club because of my degenerating lumbar disc. However, I refrained from going to the extreme of canceling my membership, even though the only time I use the club is for the soccer with my friends. Deep down, I was holding out hope that I might return.

On Tuesday of this week, my physical therapist spoke the magic words. I am now authorized to begin testing out my normal activities to see if any pain returns. I immediately returned to the wood floor for a test yesterday morning, and am very happy to report that I feel no worse for the wear.

For an undetermined amount of time, I intend to play indoors only one day a week. It is my hope to augment that with one day of outdoor play on grass. I’ll fill the days between with some bike riding, and of course, the ongoing 1/2-hour walking as often as possible.

I’ve begun to recognize a number of other regular walkers that seem to be undertaking a similar routine. I think I can recognize the ones who are treating back issues. There is just something familiar in their stride.

Here are a couple more views I’ve captured during my little expeditions…

Looking down the tracks:

and looking up: